Life never stops moving in this fast-paced world, but it is full of amazing experiences. Here now to document them and make the memories last, following the most important rule, love life and make the most of it. Here is our attempts at making the most out of our wonderful lives!

Monday, 28 July 2014

Honestly... I am excited, (about coming home...) but I know I can still do a lot more, so I am trying to be very disciplined and focused. The other Elders and members are all excited too, which makes focus a little more challenging, but it's good for me. I would be down to go to a Chinese restaurant, I haven't been to a good one in months. I could even order in Mandarin. ish. The hardest good bye's will be next week, though I am sure to have a few. It is a little strange to have so much time in advance to know that I am leaving. I'll make the most with the time I have left.

Highlights of the week include great lessons with both Dominic and Frederick. And we gave a sister in the ward a blessing. The next day she called us and told us how she was able to sleep well the night before and how comforted she felt. That was great for me, to really see the difference such a simple act can make. Or the fact that we call Marc everyday to help him through this time in his life that is rather challenging. We don't see immediate changes in his situation but at least once a day he can feel the Spirit and feel loved. My hope is they will all become more converted to the Lord, who can offer these blessing for time and eternity, and for whom I am laboring now. Although I won't be around forever, I know He will be.

I am about three quarters of the way through Jesus the Christ. It is a great book. My scripture reading is helping me to feel happy. I had another cool personal experience this week. I was reviewing notes from my notebook and I came across a list of things I wanted to improve. I wrote it more than a year ago, and as I went down the list I was able to see how much I had truly grown. (I still have a long way to go though).

Thanks for your prayers and support. I miss you and love you very much.

Monday, 21 July 2014

It is afternoon here at least. This week was great. Glad to hear you had a family BBQ. I think helping with unpacking will be a good activity to help me get into the groove of post-mission life. Missionaries that have gone home have told me that the most difficult part is not knowing what to do, so that solves that problem. I`m excited to see the Ward and how it works, even if it is just for a short time. Let me tell you about my week:

Monday:

Good day as usual, had dinner with the Beaudouin family, then had a lesson with Dominic. They brought us freezies, we were so excited. Well I was at least. I love freezies.

Tuesday:

We had some great lessons. In the evening we visited a member at the hospital. I love visiting people and talking with them, serving them the way Christ would. I guess feeling like you are helping someone makes it worth it.

Wednesday:

We had a lesson with Mike and he accepted our invitation to be baptized! Then we talked about family history with Sister Quijano. Interesting experience today, I was frustrated with myself for some miss-communication with the other Elders. I was really upset, in the moment the thought came to my mind to pray. As I prayed I really felt myself begin to calm down. My mood changed very quickly. This experience increased my understanding of the uses of prayer. Prayer really will change your mood and help you feel happier. It was a good reminder.

Thursday:

We went teaching with Brother Champagne! He is 91 years old! His testimony brightened the room. It was special to have him with us.

Friday:

We went to the hospital again to give a blessing to Hans. He seems to be doing much better. Later, we found out there is a piano outside on a street downtown, so we went there and sang hymns while people were about there evening. We met some very nice people. It was a fun way to do missionary work.

Saturday:

BAPTISM! Today was the baptism of Josée Lachance. The whole day was incredible. A lot of people turned out to support her, which was really nice.

Sunday:

Josée was confirmed, and we had a lot of people come to church. I taught Sunday School and Priesthood. Then we went over for Brother Russell`s 74th birthday! It was a good time.

That is the week in a nut shell. My scripture study was really great this week. I learned (and remembered) many things. I studied chapter 13 of Preach My Gospel to help me better understand certain peoples roles`in missionary work. Especially my own, but also so that I can be more effective in helping. I love you mom!

Monday, 14 July 2014

Taylor and I 'chatted' online today so I told him I'd give the overview from our chat for the blog entry...

They went to a primary party with the ward at a park...made him think of his siblings and he's getting excited to see everyone!

They had dinner at a family's home who are from Mexico...they said whenever he wants to go to Cancun, they'd hook him up with lodging etc.! I'm all over that!

"Wednesday was cool. I think I mentioned that I met a lady on the bus that then a member met at the park the same week. Well, the members invited her and her family over for dinner, and us too. Way for them for doing missionary work. It was so special to really feel that we were working as a team."

"Tuesday we had Zone Meeting and interviews with President Patrick, which is always a great time. Took all day, but was worth it!"

"Oh and we went to the Desjourdy`s when we got back from Longueuil, their daughter leaves this week on her mission to temple square, so their family was down, church was PACKED!"

I can't believe he'll be home in just over 3 weeks! But who's counting? ;)

Monday, 7 July 2014

This week was rather interesting. Many unexpected events that turned it upside down. Luckily we are well anchored and feeling great. I have a lot of mixed feelings right now. We have been facing a lot of challenges, inward and outward, that creates stress. I feel I have however, been managing that stress well. I very motivated to work hard. Although no one we are teaching has agreed to a date to be baptized, I have faith it is still possible. We will work and see what happens.

This week "came to pass" this way:

Monday:

The Elders from Drummondville came down and we played soccer, great way to unwind, and exercise always helps us to be happy. We helped a family in the ward move into their new place that night.

Tuesday:

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! 25 Years! Hope you had a wonderful day. Taught a few lessons, had dinner with the Kikongi's and helped another guy move. Everyone moves on Canada day in Quebec... don't ask me why.

Wednesday:

Good district meeting, cool experience. We received a call from the Elders in Quebec. One of the members in the Quebec ward has a sister that lives in Sherbrooke that is interested in learning English. She gave her sister our contact information, and she called us, that night she came to English Class.

Thursday:

We helped our good friend John lay some bricks today, good work. I'm glad Dad always worked with us outside. I appreciate it much more now than I did before.

Friday:

We had a cool experience. The Rivero's are visiting from Venezuela, their daughters family lives here (The Vasquez family). We invited Bishop Rivero (he is a bishop in Venezuela) to come teach a lesson with us. It was so special. It was in Spanish, so I only understood around 65% of the things they were saying but the Spirit was there so strongly! Bishop Rivero shared his testimony about the Atonement and the Book of Mormon, and how living the Gospel helps us and his families. You could just feel the truth behind his words. I know that is true, I have seen it! That was special.

Saturday:

We are helping a man overcome his addictions to cigarettes and alcohol. It was his Birthday today, he called us in the morning and we sang to him. It was really sweet. He really wants to succeed and is trying really hard. It feels good to be able to help someone overcome their struggles, and interesting to see how the Gospel helps them to do that. It gives them the faith and hope they need. And we really see how Heavenly Father strengthens them in time of need.

Sunday:

If you remember back I mentioned we visited a man in a rehabilitation centre. His fiance just moved to Sherbrooke to help take care of him. We visited them again today. It was really special. He is making great progress.

This week in Preach My Gospel I studied all the lessons over and Chapter 11, about helping people to make commitments and helping them to keep the commitments they have made. It is a good chapter, and shows just how we are to provide love and support. We invite people to act, to do things to get closer to Christ. We give them a choice to make. Then when they make the choice, we can do all we can to support them. Isn't that awesome?

Well hope you have a great week! I will send the box. Don't forget about the Scholarship. Thanks. I love you!

About Me

Cultures and families combine when Lindsey and Taylor decided to tie the knot. Starting an eternal family and graduating are the top on our priority list. Hope we can make the world a better place, one life at a time.